TBG Meets Six.Point.Five - One Year On

It was this time last year, TheBootsGirl met up with local band Six.Point.Five, and “one year and one week” on, (according to vocalist and guitarist James), she found out just how much has changed.

In fact, having moved on from Milton Keynes to record at the infamous Abbey Road, Six.Point.Five appear to be riding as high as vocalist Jim’s pants are low. After meeting famous stars such as Charlene Spiteri, Fran Healy and even the great Macca himself, Six.Point.Five still seem slightly in awe of having recorded in the same place as The Beatles.

“The best thing about being at Abbey Road is the fact that you were treated and you behaved like professional musicians – for an entire week, we were living this amazing lifestyle”
“We were living like popstars!” added guitarist Max.



Unlike many of the MK bands around, Six.Point.Five also regularly gig in places other than Milton Keynes such as The Purple Turtle in Camden and The Racehorse in Northampton. But the question is, are those as good as The Pitz?
Without hesitation, the Six.Point.Five reply – “Nahhhhh!”

“I think we’re spoilt having Milton Keynes as our home venue.” Says Rob, “We go to London and it’s a tiny smelly little venue with no backstage. [At the Pitz] we got our own showers, *points* we got our own toilet, we got our own...err.. bench!”

“Yeah, we are spoilt!” agreed James, “Obviously there’s a lot of good venues out there but …” he pauses,” ... This one’s the best.”

I decided to pick on Muzz who hadn’t said much during the interview. I asked him about his dream venue.
“Err … the Pitz?”
Now that’s love for you.

And what about the dream line up? After a discussion, they decided on gigging with Lightyear, Mad Caddies and … “Do you reckon we could get Queen at all?”



The departure of tenor sax Andrew last year led to a reshuffle amongst the band but with more members leaving for university and gap years, what was the truth behind the rumours that the band would split up?
“We thought it would all come to a stop,” Explained Dave about having lost two members and playing with five people “– it was a totally different sound.”

Having filling the tenor sax vacancy, I asked Ewan how the past year had been for him. Ignoring Simon’s taunts of “this time last year, he was a saaad lonely soul”, Ewan seemed decidedly glad to have joined the Six.Point.Five and several months on, is now a fully accepted member of the clan with chants of “Ewan.Point.Five!” having been present since his first Six.Point.Five gig.

“And,” Simon added, “If he wasn’t in this band he couldn’t go – (* sings the infamous intro to Hassle* )duh na duh na duh, duh.. … brawwwr!!”

The average life expectancy of an MK band is barely 2 years. Having been around for almost double that – Six.Point.Five are practically MK Veterans but what was it that made them stick together where other bands have split up?

Rob joked about the fact that they secretly hate each other. But the real secret he said, was good communication.
“When Dave was in Guildford, we really struggled and it almost broke down cos there was no communication. People weren’t finding out what was happening”
“But we still pulled through” added Dave. He explained, although it was difficult, they overcame the obstacles because in the end, they knew they wanted to keep playing the music.

As for joining the league of long term survivors like Phema, the Six.Point.Five maintained that they didn’t see themselves like that. They’re just several guys having a laugh.
“Yeah,“ Jim agrees, “On the grand scale of everything, we’re still at the complete beginning of our careers. Considering we want to do this for the rest of our lives – a few years is nothing.”



So what’s in store for the year to come? (Apart from Ewan’s answer of “World Domination”) Is this the year that they get signed?

When it comes to talking about being signed, Six.Point.Five are all in agreement. It’s evident that it isn’t the driving force behind the band but Dave maintains that if they were approached with a good deal – they definitely wouldn’t turn it away.

Looking to the nearer future, the band are finalising their new EP having recorded tracks with local guy Andé (of MK band Aurora’s Shadow) and despite their previous experience at Abbey Road, they seem to be more enthusiastic about this home venue! Thanks went to Andé’s mum whose amazing food provokes a good five minute discussion with Rob being particularly vocal about the fact that they were given BOTTLED not tap water. “It was the best!”
It seems Six.Point.Five have no inner diva, give them bottled water and they’re sorted!

With the arrival of their new bass player Rory, “the ginger Ror”, (who, apparently isn’t even ginger anyway), it seems a main priority for Six.Point.Five is reshaping their line up.
“Over the next year, it’s going to be hard work replacing Simon and Murray” James explained, “And if Ewan goes to university as well – that’s like half the band.”

“We’re thinking maybe trombones, trumpets, tenor saxes but we’re going to keep it open.” said Rob. “It might change the sound a bit but we’ll still be playing the same songs, writing the same sort of stuff”

“But if anything, better.” Dave adds.




And with James having re-entered the room, then came the age old question – are you still allowing girls? There is laughter as his answer last year was a very diplomatic yet definite, no.
“Look, it’s not that we’re a sexist band,” James pauses, “well… I guess that we are a sexist band”
“You can’t say ‘WE’RE A SEXIST BAND’!” Rob protests
Dave swiftly saves the situation by explaining that his experience of being in bands with girls was – and here he pauses tactfully - “..difficult”

They decided that at the end of the day, it all depends on the situation, though James adds, “We’ll end up all fighting over who wants to bang her.”
And there was me thinking that maybe there was a chance that they’d grown some tact from last year? Seems some things will never change.





As we neared the last questions of the interview, I asked – what would they like to be remembered for?

“Making people dance” smiles James. “We’re not really about anything other than enjoying ourselves and making the most out of life. When people come to our gigs we aim to make sure they leave with a massive smile on their face.”

“And really sweaty!” Adds Rob.

The interview was filled with laughs - during an answer – we’re interrupted (for about the fifth time) by, sometimes support guitarist the Pooboy, ringing Daves mobile. Daves ringtone being South Park’s Cartman singing “Shut Your F*ing Face*




To summarise, 6.5 are just normal fun loving lads – who hate screen protectors – apparently “a girl thing”. (I’d like to say AGAIN that 6.5 are clearly not a sexist band.) Talking to them – it’s clear to see that there’s some genuine honesty behind their words. It’s easy for bands these days to claim that they’re doing what they love because they want to be rockstars but Six.Point.Five seem to have it sussed.

“Yeah we have fun but the moment we walk on stage, we become business men – yeah we’re ruthless capitalist bastards!! Ooh maybe we’ll come on in suits next time...”

But who knows what’s in store for the year to come? It’s just as Rob says.
“I have sat here so many times thinking – what’s next? And I am always surprised by what comes along.”